DOCSLIB.ORG

Visualising Charisma: Representations of the Charismatic Touch

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Visualising Charisma: Representations of the Charismatic Touch Visual Studies ISSN: 1472-586X (Print) 1472-5878 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rvst20 Visualising charisma: representations of the charismatic touch Matthew Immergut & Mary Kosut To cite this article: Matthew Immergut & Mary Kosut (2014) Visualising charisma: representations of the charismatic touch, Visual Studies, 29:3, 272-284, DOI: 10.1080/1472586X.2014.941561 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1472586X.2014.941561 Published online: 16 Oct 2014. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 215 View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=rvst20 Download by: [Martina Gleissenebner-Teskey] Date: 08 October 2016, At: 09:45 Visual Studies, 2014 Vol. 29, No. 3, 272–284, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1472586X.2014.941561 Visualising charisma: representations of the charismatic touch MATTHEW IMMERGUT and MARY KOSUT Although sociologists regard charisma as a social mutual recognition through verbal, visual and physical construct, few studies look at the explicit interactions that touch. Through this somatic exchange, charisma create and maintain this type of authority. This article becomes palpable, the bond with followers enlivened examines one specific, but ubiquitous social interaction and the authority of the leader reconstituted. Beyond between leader and follower – the charismatic touch. The this main assertion, we also argue that the touch charismatic touch is a semi-formal interaction in which balances the critical dynamic of intimacy and distance. leader and followers exchange mutual recognition That is, the touch provides a moment of physical through verbal, visual and physical touch. Through intimacy that enlivens followers and cements the bond touching each other this way, charisma becomes palpable, to a leader who is customarily socially removed and very the bond with followers enlivened and the authority of the often seen in god-like terms. At the same time, the touch leader reconstituted. By analysing photographs from a reaffirms the leader’s distance and their salient visual ethnographic study of Diamond Mountain, a uniqueness, as they remain the focus of collective Western convert Buddhist community, and images of attention and the one to be touched or touched by. political leaders culled from mass media, one can observe a dynamic of intimacy and distance in maintaining and Our examination of the charismatic touch stems from a performing charisma. As data, visual representations of larger visual ethnography of Diamond Mountain, a the charismatic touch capture evidence of its micro- community of Western converts to Tibetan Buddhism interactional nature and offer a new approach to the field under the charismatic leadership of Geshe Michael of charisma in the digital age. Roach and Lama Christie McNally. We use video stills culled from this research to illustrate moments in which the touch is enacted between leader and follower. The INTRODUCTION Diamond Mountain fieldwork enables us to pinpoint a In the popular imagination, charisma is seen as an particular act of charisma within the framework of an individual attribute that certain extraordinary people understudied new religious movement. However, by possess (Turner 2003). Charisma signifies a personality shifting focus from religion to politics, we show how the trait, ineffable quality or natural disposition that makes charismatic touch works as a more general interaction an individual stand apart from others. Sociologists, occurring between other charismatic leaders and their however, have challenged this common understanding, followers. The charismatic touch, in other words, maintaining that charisma is socially constructed (Finlay operates similarly in different social contexts. To 2002; Wallis 1982; Weber 1958b, 295; 1968, 48). From demonstrate its general utility, we begin with an analysis this perspective, charisma is a form of authority and as of images produced in the process of fieldwork within a such is inherently relational – the product of an ongoing religious community and then turn our focus to iconic interaction between leaders and followers. images of charismatic political figures that are easily accessible via an Internet search. We underscore how the Yet, even with this agreement, few sociological studies performance of the charismatic touch works in different actually focus on the specific micro-interactions by social realms as an intimate and theatrical exchange. which charismatic power is built up. In particular, there is a lack of analysis of the intimate embodied exchanges Although we will address issues pertaining to the that contribute to making charisma a substantial force. charismatic leaders we selected in greater detail below, a To fill this gap, this visual essay uses a micro- few words are in order about our sample. Our selection interactional framework to examine what we could have consisted of a variety of other political and conceptualise as the charismatic touch – a semi-formal religious figures precisely because the charismatic touch interaction in which leader and followers exchange is so ubiquitous. We simply had to limit our selection for Matthew Immergut is assistant professor of Sociology at Purchase College, State University of New York. He is currently working on a documentary film about a group of Western converts to Tibetan Buddhism under the spiritual guidance of two charismatic leaders. Mary Kosut is associate professor of Media, Society and the Arts at Purchase College, State University of New York. She is the editor of The Encyclopedia of Gender in Media, co-editor of The Body Reader: Essential Social and Cultural Readings and co-author of Buzz: Urban Beekeeping and the Power of the Bee. © 2014 International Visual Sociology Association Visualising charisma 273 the sake of space and clarity. We chose the example of others can lead to the full bloom of the charismatic religious leadership because of the rich fieldwork at our phenomena. As Weber writes, ‘It is recognition on the disposal and selected for comparison three political part of those subject to authority which is decisive for leaders all of whom are both treated as personally the validity of charisma. This is freely given and charismatic and defined as charismatic in academic guaranteed by what is held to be a “sign” or proof, literature. originally always a miracle. What is alone important is how the individual is actually regarded by those subject In addition, semi-formal, public touches are ever present to charismatic authority, by his “followers” or within the popular cultural landscape, and many appear “disciples”’(Weber 1978, 241–242). What Weber ff – to depict the a ective qualities of charisma adoring articulates here is a relational view of charisma, charisma fi fans clamouring around lm celebrities and rock icons, as a social construct. or sports fanatics reaching out to superstar athletes. What all of these touches share is the breaking of a It is important to note that Weber treated all three forms membrane between those deemed special in some way of authority as ‘ ideal types’. By ideal, Weber did not and their followers or admirers, thereby strengthening mean that these were perfect nor did he mean morally ff the a ective force. While recognising this similarity, we right or best. Instead, ideal types were ‘mental delimit our analysis of the charismatic touch to religious constructs’, created from a variety of observed and political leaders because charisma is a form of characteristics and then used as a heuristic tool to make authority in which leaders provide a comprehensive sense of a messy reality, to see patterns and to compare ideological vision and make concrete demands upon seemingly non-comparable cases in order to elucidate followers and followers attribute greatness to their their similarities. In Weber’s own words, ‘An ideal type leader. In this context, the touch must be seen as distinct is formed by the one-sided accentuation of one or more in that it works to create and maintain authority and points of view and by the synthesis of a great many legitimacy. diffuse, discrete, more or less present and occasionally absent concrete individual phenomena, which are arranged according to those one-sidedly emphasised STUDIES OF CHARISMA: HISTORICAL AND viewpoints into a unified analytical construct. In its CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES conceptual purity, this mental construct. cannot be ’ – Max Weber brought the concept of charisma out from found empirically anywhere in reality (Weber [1903 the arena of theology and into sociological focus. For 1917] 1949, 90). Therefore, although ideal types of Weber, the study of charisma was about authority. authority can be analytically distinguished and Charismatic authority was one form of legitimate heuristically useful, living authority very often appears in domination in his tripartite typology – the other two a variety of combinations. A president, for instance, is being rational-legal and traditional authority. The basis clearly a form of rational-legal authority. Yet, any of legitimacy for rational-legal authority comes from particular president can also have a certain amount of ‘ ’ being imbedded in a bureaucratic structure dictated by personal charisma, a type of pure charisma that may codified rules and regulations. A judge, police officer or have been evident prior to the height of their power. A corporate manager all exemplify this type of authority.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Magic of Empty Teachers – Geshe Michael Roach
    THE MAGIC OF EMPTY TEACHERS Quiet Retreat Teachings by Geshe Michael Roach March 8 - 11, 2001 Diamond Mountain Retreat Center St. David, Arizona The Magic of Empty Teachers Day One: We need the perfect Teacher Imagine the concert hall without one. The blessing of living touch; Instant depth, tricks and pitfalls, Generations to the beginning. A companion for life, And like-minded friends; Entry to a new world Of people, places, and tools. Someone to take you Outside, beneath, and beyond yourself. Don’t be afraid to fish for the best; Hook them with your service. But first be clear That what you want to learn Is what They teach, Or the marriage will never last. In a world created Moment to moment by imprints, You master all things By mastering one: Serving others; The high hard art of serving others. Nothing for yourself; Not even “I come to learn to serve,” But rather “I come to serve and learn.” A relief to hear it said. Learn to serve others With a thousand hands, From trifles To deathlessness. Geshe Michael Roach 1 The Magic of Empty Teachers Diamond Mountain Retreat Center March 8 - 11, 2001 St. David, Arizona, USA Day Two: What makes the perfect Teacher? Find and become the perfect Teacher: A push from the nest, A Grandmaster with a big toolbox, Genghis Khan and lieutenants, An open bag of candy, A maker and passer of the torch. A desert dandelion, and the air we breathe; A spider in a big web, Peer revelry, Stainless steel; a sculptor A free referral service; Of every stone, with a master plan; A piggy bank, teddy bear, bureaucrat.
    [Show full text]
  • C:\Users\Kusala\Documents\2009 Buddhist Center Update
    California Buddhist Centers / Updated August 2009 Source - www.Dharmanet.net Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery Address: 16201 Tomki Road, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 CA Tradition: Theravada Forest Sangha Affiliation: Amaravati Buddhist Monastery (UK) EMail: [email protected] Website: http://www.abhayagiri.org All One Dharma Address: 1440 Harvard Street, Quaker House Santa Monica CA 90404 Tradition: Non-Sectarian, Zen/Vipassana Affiliation: General Buddhism Phone: e-mail only EMail: [email protected] Website: http://www.allonedharma.org Spiritual Director: Group effort Teachers: Group lay people Notes and Events: American Buddhist Meditation Temple Address: 2580 Interlake Road, Bradley, CA 93426 CA Tradition: Theravada, Thai, Maha Nikaya Affiliation: Thai Bhikkhus Council of USA American Buddhist Seminary Temple at Sacramento Address: 423 Glide Avenue, West Sacramento CA 95691 CA Tradition: Theravada EMail: [email protected] Website: http://www.middleway.net Teachers: Venerable T. Shantha, Venerable O.Pannasara Spiritual Director: Venerable (Bhante) Madawala Seelawimala Mahathera American Young Buddhist Association Address: 3456 Glenmark Drive, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745 CA Tradition: Mahayana, Humanistic Buddhism Contact: Vice-secretary General: Ven. Hui-Chuang Amida Society Address: 5918 Cloverly Avenue, Temple City, CA 91780 CA Tradition: Mahayana, Pure Land Buddhism EMail: [email protected] Spiritual Director: Ven. Master Chin Kung Amitabha Buddhist Discussion Group of Monterey Address: CA Tradition: Mahayana, Pure Land Buddhism Affiliation: Bodhi Monastery Phone: (831) 372-7243 EMail: [email protected] Spiritual Director: Ven. Master Chin Chieh Contact: Chang, Ei-Wen Amitabha Buddhist Society of U.S.A. Address: 650 S. Bernardo Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 CA Tradition: Mahayana, Pure Land Buddhism EMail: [email protected] Spiritual Director: Ven.
    [Show full text]
  • An Interview with Geshe Michael Roach
    Opening Your Heart, Caring for Others An Interview with Geshe Michael Roach By Lisa F. Weber On Thursday, March 25, 2004, Geshe Michael Roach appeared at Vitality Natural Foods and Yoga in Wilmette for a book signing of his recently published The Tibetan Book of Yoga . At the signing Geshe Michael demonstrated "heart yoga," the Tibetan style of yoga that he is presenting to the U.S. on his book tour. Before the demonstration, I had the pleasure of interviewing Geshe Michael about himself, his new book and heart yoga. Geshe Michael is a fully ordained Buddhist monk. He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and his "Geshe" title (master of Buddhism) from Sera Mey Monastery [a Tibetan monastery transplanted to India] after 22 years of study both in India and the U.S. with Lama Khen Rinposhe Geshe Lobsang Tharchin. Geshe Michael has been teaching Buddhism since 1981 and is a scholar of Sanskrit, Tibetan and Russian. Over the last 20 years, he has incorporated the spiritual principles of Tibetan Buddhism into numerous projects. He has directed a successful diamond company in New York, translated and published numerous works, started the Diamond Mountain University and Retreat Center in rural Arizona and the Enlightened Business Institute, and much more. LFW: What was your motivation for becoming a Buddhist monk? GMR: Two things--my mother was dying, and I was having girlfriend problems. My motivation was suffering. My parents were alcoholics and went through a bad divorce. At the time my mom was dying, I was signed up for Christian seminary.
    [Show full text]
  • Schedule Fall 2008
    2008 – 2009 Schedule Asian Classics Institute of New York That program condensed the essence of is dedicated to giving the teachings of the Six Great Books of Buddhism into a Lord Buddha to those interested in series of 15 Formal Study Courses. ACI serious study and spiritual practice. ny teachers are trained and experience in this extensive program of study and the Originally established by Geshe Michael authentic Tibetan tradition. Roach under the spiritual direction of Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang ACI ny provides a thorough, accurate Tharchin, a most distinguished scholar Tibetan Buddhist education to anyone and master of Buddhism from Tibet. As interested. ACI ny captures the heart of a result of completing full studies with Buddhist philosophy and offers a wide Khen Rinpoche and at Sera Monastery variety of courses for spiritually minded in India, Geshe Michael Roach people of all levels of beginner and developed and taught a 7 year Formal advanced practitioners. Classes are a Study Program in New York. great way to meet others who travel on a variety of spiritual paths. UPCCOMING COURSES ACI COURSE 16: The Great Ideas of Buddhism, Part I. In part one, we cover the first five ACI Courses: The Principal Teachings of Buddhism, Buddhist Refuge, Applied Meditation, Proof of Future Lives, and How Karma Works. Dates: Wednesdays starting December 03rd , 7:30pm for 10 weeks. Teacher: Michael Dunn is a student of Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie McNally. ACI COURSE 12: Contemplations of the Perfection of Wisdom - Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life III Give kindness, perform goodness, destroy anger, act with joy, focus on others – guided by the eye of wisdom! Master Shantideva guides us through the Perfection of Wisdom to the city of all-knowingness - Enlightenment.
    [Show full text]
  • Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion
    ISSN 1556-3723 (print) Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion __________________________________________________________________ Volume 10 2014 Article 7 __________________________________________________________________ When Charisma Doesn’t Fail: Charismatic Authority and Dissonance Management in the Case of Diamond Mountain Matthew Immergut* Department of Sociology Purchase College, State University of New York Purchase, New York * [email protected] Copyright © 2014 Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion is freely available on the World Wide Web at http://www.religjournal.com. When Charisma Doesn’t Fail: Charismatic Authority and Dissonance Management in the Case of Diamond Mountain Matthew Immergut Department of Sociology Purchase College, State University of New York Purchase, New York Abstract How do the faithful keep their faith when their spiritual leaders say one thing but then do some- thing else? How do they manage the dissonance that such contradictory behavior evokes? In this article, I examine these questions through a case study of Diamond Mountain, a convert Buddhist community under the charismatic leadership of Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie McNal- ly. Drawing on previous scholarly work on failed prophecy, I analyze the rationalizations that members use in the face of less dramatic but more frequent occurrences of leader-induced disso- nance. Three prominent rationalizations found in the failed prophecy literature aligned with the rationalizations used by students of Roach and McNally in managing ongoing tensions.
    [Show full text]
  • DR WU NAGARJUNA WISDOM Thanksgiving Day 2019
    A Ship on the Sea of Emptiness The Wisdom of Nagarjuna written by Choney Lama, Drakpa Shedrup (1675-1748) translated by Geshe Michael Roach A Ship on the Sea of Emptiness The Wisdom of Nagarjuna Copyright ©2018 by Geshe Michael Roach. All rights reserved. Sections may be reproduced with the author’s permission. Please contact: [email protected] Volume 111 of the Diamond Cutter Classics Series Diamond Cutter Press 6490 Arizona Route 179A Sedona, AZ 86351 USA 2 A Ship on the Sea of Emptiness The Wisdom of Nagarjuna Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................ @ A Ship on the Sea of Emptiness .......................................................................... 11 Bowing down, and promising ........................................................................................12 How did Arya Nagarjuna give his commentaries? .....................................................15 Why call this book “Wisdom”? .......................................................................................18 The Tibetan translator bows down .................................................................................20 Chapter 1: An Investigation of Conditions ....................................................... 22 Praising the teacher, for dependence .............................................................................23 The eight impossibles .......................................................................................................26
    [Show full text]
  • May 24, 2006 To: Rev. Michael Roach <[email protected]> Subject
    May 24, 2006 To: Rev. Michael Roach <[email protected]> Subject: Teachings in June Dear Rev. Michael Roach, We have recently learnt that you are planning to come to Dharmsala during the June teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a large group of Western Buddhists. We also understand that you plan to give separate teachings on the “Essence of Eloquence” to this group in the evenings following His Holiness's teachings in the afternoons. On your Diamond Mountain website it is stated that Geshe Thupten Rinchen is ill. As you may already know, he has tuberculosis in the past, and now he is having a recurrence, which is likely to require surgery. Geshe Thupten Rinchen has strongly encouraged Geshe Michael to conduct these teachings himself. Geshe Michael, knowing how many of you had already made their travel plans, has graciously agreed to do so. We have made inquiries about what you have said and find that it is not strictly true, because Geshe Thupten Rinchen did not ask you to give the teachings on his behalf. Moreover, we have become aware that there is an unresolved controversy over your current observation of the Vinaya vows and your keeping company with women. We have received inquiries and letters of concern about your status and conduct from many people. We have seen a photograph of you wearing long hair, with a female companion at your side, apparently giving ordination. This would seem to conflict with the rules of Vinaya, and as you know, the Gelug tradition makes a point of upholding these very strictly.
    [Show full text]
  • John D. Skrentny Department of Sociology 0533 UC-San Diego
    Last update: May, 2021 John D. Skrentny Department of Sociology 0533 UC-San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla, CA 92093-0533 [email protected] Education 1994 Harvard University, Ph. D., Sociology 1990 Harvard University, A.M., Sociology 1988 Indiana University, B.A., Philosophy and Sociology Professional Experience 2002-present Professor of Sociology, University of California, San Diego 2012-2021 Co-Leader, San Diego Region, Scholars Strategy Network 2017-2020 Director, Yankelovich Center for Social Science Research, University of California, San Diego 2009-2018 Co-Director, Center for Comparative Immigration Studies, University of California, San Diego 2000-02 Associate Professor of Sociology, University of California, San Diego 2001 Visiting Professor, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea 1999-00 Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of California, San Diego 1998 Janice and Julian Bers Assistant Professor of the Social Sciences, University of Pennsylvania 1994-1998 Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania 1991-94 Teaching Fellow, Harvard University, 1991-1994 Participation in Research Networks 2019-present Non-Degree Credential Research Network, based at George Washington University 2019 Working Group on Non-Cognitive/Social and Emotional Learning, based at American Enterprise Institute Awards, Honors, and Grants 2020 UC-San Diego Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award 2019 With Hal Salzman, Michelle Van Noy, Jason Owen-Smith, Jennifer Cleary, and Ron Hira. Subcontract for “Pathways to Science and Engineering Professions: Persistence and Career Choice for Bachelors and Masters Graduates—Research Experiences, Decision Points, and Labor Market Transitions” 2016 With Minh Phan-Ho and Susan Yonezawa. Price Philanthropies Grant (for “Evaluation of the Price Scholarship Program”) 2016 With Mary L.
    [Show full text]
  • These Are Raw Transcripts That Have Not Been Edited in Any Way, and May Contain Errors Introduced by the Volunteer Transcribers
    These are raw transcripts that have not been edited in any way, and may contain errors introduced by the volunteer transcribers. Please refer to the audio on The Knowledge Base website (http://www.theknowledgebase.com) for the original teachings. ACI Course 12 Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life, Part Three (RAW TRANSCRIPT) presented by Geshe Michael Roach New York Oct-Nov 1997 MISSING REVIEW CLASS 11? ACI 12, Class 1 971014-1 PLEASE NOTE: Missing review class 11 and any Tibetan is totally written by what it sounded like. Therefore, correct spelling is not guaranteed. Prayers About 12-13 hundred years ago. And, uh, this will be the ninth and the tenth chapter of the book. We’ve covered the first 8 chapters this year so far. Um, this book is not even taught in the monastery. It’s not part of the Geshe course, you know, uh, it’s not considered one of the five great books that’s in the monastery. And normally a monk at Sera or at one of the other monasteries, great monasteries, would study this on the side, like during visits by His Holiness the Dalai Lama or by in the old days by one of his … teachers. Um, so why do we spend a whole year on it? You know, um, it’s really perhaps the most important- one of the most important books in Buddhism. And it has survived since the early times of Buddhism, and people, you know, millions of people have studied it and it’s a very, very important book.
    [Show full text]
  • Ripples of Light
    RIPPLES OF LIGHT The Chapter on Dedicating the Power of Good Deeds from A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life written by the Prince of Bodhisattvas Master Shantideva Quiet Retreat Teachings by Geshe Michael Roach March 28 - 31, 2002 Diamond Mountain Retreat Center St. David, Arizona (1) Thus have I completed writing A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. And I pray that by this goodness Every living being May take up this way of life. (2) By the power of this good deed too May any single living creature In sickness or in pain, Of body or of mind, In any corner of this universe, Be thrown into a sea of bliss. (3) And for as long as they may wander In the circle of suffering life, May they never lose this bliss. May every one of them one day reach The bliss beyond all other, And stay there never-ending. (4) I don't know how many Realms of hell there are Hidden in our world; But by this power may every person Trapped in one instead find joy In the joy of the Heaven of Joy. Geshe Michael Roach 1 Ripples of Light Diamond Mountain Dedicating Good Deeds St. David, Arizona, USA March 28 - 31, 2002 (5) May those who freeze in the cold of hell Be covered in warmth. May infinite showers of gentle rain Fall from vast bodhisattva clouds To cool the searing pain Of those who live there in fire. (6) May the forest of falling leaves of knives Turn for those who live there into A pleasure grove of shady bowers.
    [Show full text]
  • Second Sight
    Second Sight Silent retreat teachings by Geshe Michael Roach September 20 - 23, 2001 Diamond Mountain Retreat Center St. David, Arizona Second Sight I We can see the sky. It is Blue, lit from within; Where have we come from? Better than any sapphire. What will become of us? What have we come here to do? We can see the stars, Fire itself, It is Beyond any diamond. All the only things That matter. We can see the mountains And hold the warmth of earth in our To see hands. You have to have a reason To see; it is We can see life, The one thing left unseen Sparks of intelligence and kindness: Because we do not want We can see each other. To see it. Down our streets we can see Children of the rabbit Schools, hospitals, In the dark of a thousand Homes for the elderly, Miles of empty desert, Churches and people of every kind; Caught in the jaws of the serpent; Peace, Who will help us? Striving to reach and touch - You know us. This precious, present moment. For better or worse, A pinpoint We have worked On an unseen plain Side by side. That knows no horizon. You see our houses; A pinpoint You know where we live, In an unseen river You know what we try to do. That stretches forever. So how can you leave us It is Clawing at the dirt? Too much not to see. How can you leave us here? 1 Geshe Michael Roach Second Sight Diamond Mountain Sept. 18 - 21, 2001 St.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhadharma, Buddhist Studies, and Me
    H-Buddhism Jackson, Roger R. Page published by A. Charles Muller on Thursday, March 19, 2020 PLAYING BOTH ENDS AGAINST THE MIDDLE: BUDDHADHARMA, BUDDHIST STUDIES, AND ME ROGER R. JACKSON PREFACE The editor of this collection assured potential contributors that writing our “Buddhist Studies memoirs” would be a simple and enjoyable task, easily completed in a few days. In fact, it is far more difficult than writing a scholarly article—perhaps even a book—because it requires so much reflection and synthesis, not to mention the ability to weave personal recollections together with historical, methodological, cultural, and even theological observations. Memory, of course, is notoriously unreliable, selective, and self-serving, so both memoirist and audience have reason to be wary of any purportedly accurate account of “my life and times as a Buddhist scholar.” Furthermore, the Buddhologist has the added anxiety of sensing overhead the sword of Mañjuśrī, with its incisive questions about personal identity, and consequent doubts as to whether an ontologically vacuous and protean self can cohere sufficiently to produce a memoir that is anything but a deluded and fantastical concoction. In the end, this process has been neither quick nor easy, and I fear that the result is a lot of verbiage that adds up not to very much. I suggest that readers who want to skip my autobiographical musings and “cut to the chase” go straight to the section where I talk about publications in which was involved during my time at Carleton, and to the section where by way of conclusion, I reflect broadly (but still personally) on the changes I have lived through in the fields of Buddhist studies in general and Tibetan studies in particular over the course of my career.
    [Show full text]